BISHOPS REOPEN CONSULTATION PROCESS AFTER TRANSLATION FOR PROPER OF SEASONS FAILS TO MEET TWO-THIRD MAJORITY

WASHINGTON—The U.S. bishops failed to approve the English translation of the Proper of Seasons prayers from the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia, at the June general assembly of the United States Conference of Bishops, in Orlando, Florida. A two-thirds majority of Latin rite members of the Conference is needed for approval of the translation. The vote at the meeting was inconclusive and subsequent mail ballots from absent members kept the measure from passing.

This text, the “Gray Book” draft translation prepared by the International Commission for English in the Liturgy (ICEL), was submitted to the bishops of English–speaking countries for approval. A “Gray Book” is the second draft proposed by ICEL after the bishops of the participating English-speaking conferences have had the chance to review the initial draft (or Green Book). The Proper of Seasons is the second of twelve sections of the full text of the Roman Missal.

Bishop Arthur Serratelli, Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship indicated that the Committee will now present the Gray Book to the bishops for renewed consideration, including the usual Conference process that allows bishops to submit modifications to the text for consideration. The Committee intends to present the text again for a vote at the November 2008 meeting in Baltimore. Should the text then receive an affirmative vote of two–thirds of the Latin Rite members of the USCCB, the text will be submitted to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments for subsequent confirmation.

In addition to the Proper of Seasons, the Committee on Divine Worship plans to submit two additional “Gray Book” texts for consideration and vote this fall, in hopes that the USCCB will keep pace with the actions of other English–speaking conferences. If the texts receive an affirmative vote by the body of Bishops, the original timeline will still be maintained, and the final text of the complete Roman Missal will be presented for approval in November 2010.

U.S. TO SEND LARGEST INTERNATIONAL PILGRIM GROUP TO WORLD YOUTH DAY IN SYDNEY

WASHINGTON---The United States will send 15,000 young people to World Youth Day, the international event convened by Pope Benedict XVI, scheduled to take place in Sydney, Australia, from July 15 through 20. According to U.S. organizers, this will be the largest delegation representing any country outside of Australia. The young pilgrims will be joined by 50 U.S. bishops, including Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The young people, most of whom are in their late teens and young adult years, are traveling to Australia in 1,140 groups that range in varying sizes up to 520 individuals. Typically, the groups are organized by dioceses, parishes, religious associations and schools, though some groups are families who have chosen to make the journey on their own.

The gathering in Sydney marks the tenth international celebration of World Youth Day. The international celebration has occurred every two or three years since Pope John Paul II established it in 1985. In 1993, the international celebration of World Youth Day took place in Denver.

For the first time at World Youth Day the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will sponsor a Mass for all U.S. groups in Sydney. Cardinal George will preside and deliver the homily on Saturday morning, July 19, at an outdoor location in the center of Sydney. Concelebrating with him will be other U.S. bishops who will also use the opportunity to meet with young people from their dioceses. Musicians from Oregon Catholic Press and World Library Publications will give a concert prior to the Mass.

Young people from the United States will also take prominent roles in other aspects of the World Youth Day events. Armando Cervantes from the Diocese of Orange will be among 12 young adults from all parts of the world who will have lunch with the Holy Father on Friday, July 18, in Sydney. In addition, Juan Martinez from the Diocese of Austin, Texas will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation from Pope Benedict along with other young people at the closing Mass of World Youth Day on Sunday, July 20.

Annalee Moyer, from the Archdiocese of Washington and Leonardo Jaramillo, from the Archdiocese of Atlanta, were selected to be members of a two hundred-person group known as the International Liturgy Group. Members take leading parts in all the major events of World Youth Day including the papal ceremonies and liturgies. They function as a representative group for all the World Youth Day pilgrims.

“I am truly blessed by this opportunity to experience the universal Church in such a unique way with my peers from around the world,” said Moyer.

Australian organizers expect approximately 100,000 youths from their own country and 125,000 international visitors to make the World Youth Day pilgrimage to Sydney this month.

2008 Statewide Young Adult Symposium

Date of Event: August 8, 2008
Time of Event: 9:00 AM- 5:30 PM (7:00 PM if attending dinner in the evening)
Place: Risen Savior Catholic Church
7701 Wyoming Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM

Event Sponsored by: Archdiocese of Santa Fe- Dioceses of Gallup and Las Cruces

Contact: Diocese of Gallup Youth Outreach Office


It is a state wide Young Adult Symposium sponsored by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Gallup and Las Cruces Dioceses for all Pastors, Deacon’s, Parish Leaders and young adult ministers. The event is scheduled Friday, August 8, 2008 to address the needs of our Young Adult Catholic’s in the state of New Mexico and the Gallup Diocese in Arizona.

The day will begin with a welcoming and opening prayer from our Bishops followed by
Joan Weber from the Center for Ministry Development who will address the participants on the document Sons and Daughters of the Light. She will also facilitate a Group Discussion on the successes and challenges of Ministry to young adults.

The three Bishops will join the groups in discussion on the information gathered before the symposium. The Bishops will also take the document Sons and Daughters of the Light and reflect on where they see the Church going in ministry with young adults.

The first three of the four goals from Sons and Daughters of the Light document will be addressed in the afternoon session with each of the Bishops taking one of the goals to give their vision on how the Church can help young adults connect to the Church’s mission in the World.

Goal 1: Connecting Young Adults with Jesus Christ
Goal 2: Connecting Young Adults with the Church
Goal 3: Connecting Young Adults with the Mission of the Church in the World

Joan will continue to facilitate dialogue and discussion on practical methods that will help achieve the goals.

Michelle Montez, director of Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe will wrap up the day and offer insights on evangelizing Young Adults.

The event will close with Reconciliation, Mass, Dinner and Entertainment. The cost is:
$15 – for the event; does not include dinner and entertainment
$25 – with dinner


Call Chris Rayner at (928) 871-3567, youthmatters4u@yahoo.com, for more information or to register for this event.

Stewardship Open House!

The Voice of the Southwest is holding a stewardship open house in its next issue (July/August). What?! We are dedicating an entire issue to STEWARDSHIP!—and we are asking you to participate. The Voice wants to show the Catholic faithful in our diocese how to give their TIME, TREASURE, and TALENT.

Here’s how:

1. Do you have a volunteer opportunity or group you’d like to announce/promote? Send it in!
2. Does your parish or organization have a calendar for volunteer or group events? Send it in!
3. Do you have a specific need that you’d like help with (example: a roof needs fixed) Send it in!
4. Do you have a good story of a person or group who’s already done extraordinary work in the diocese, and you’d like to thank them? Send it in!
5. Is your parish or organization doing a hospitality program? Send it in!

Seriously, many of these calls for announcements are ignored. We REALLY, REALLY, want you to give us stories that will promote your parish or organization! Here’s your chance to get the stewardship word out.

Please send text and pictures to Lee Lamb at voicesw@gmail.com as soon as you can. Please reserve space for the Stewardship Open House by Monday, July 7. All text/pictures are due no later than Monday, July 21.

Thanks!

Revised Partial Birth Abortion Ban Heads to the Governor

	Take Action!
Urge Gov Napolitano to Sign SB 1048
The Arizona Legislature has made another attempt to create a statewide ban on partial birth abortions (SB 1048) and sent the measure to Governor Napolitano. SB 1048 would provide Arizona prosecutors the ability to make sure that this horrific procedure is not performed in our State. Additionally, SB 1048 has been amended to meet the Governor's previously stated concerns about the absence of a two year maximum jail sentence for abortion doctors; and the ability of these doctors to appeal to the appropriate medical board as to whether such procedures were necessary to save the life of the mother SB 1048 is a significant step forward for the pro-life movement in Arizona. Please follow the links in this alert and urge Governor Napolitano to sign SB 1048.

Year of St. Paul --- June, 20, 2008 - June 29, 2009

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Failure can’t do it. Cancer can’t do it. Addiction can’t do it. Depression can’t do it. Nothing can do it – do what? Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Cf. Rom 8:31-39). We celebrate the Year of Saint Paul to deepen our conviction about truths of faith like this that are recorded by this great Apostle to the Gentiles and that undergird our hope.
Pope Benedict XVI has called us to begin this yearlong celebration on the Vigil of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 28, 2008. During this year, our Holy Father invites us to strengthen our love for the word of God as a way to honor the Apostle who was unsurpassed in zeal for proclaiming the Gospel. He also invites us to pray and work for unity among all the baptized, recalling how St. Paul constantly pleaded for reconciliation among the early converts to the Christian faith.
This Year that marks twenty centuries since the birth of St. Paul will be celebrated throughout the world and especially in Rome where he was martyred, buried and honored with the magnificent Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls. Pope Benedict also encourages each local Diocese to enter fully into the graces of the Holy Year. Here in the Diocese of Gallup, we plan to do so in the following ways:
1. I have designated four Churches as places of pilgrimage in our Diocese:
· Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup
· St. Paul’s Parish in Crownpoint
· St. Peter’s Parish in Springerville
· Sacred Heart Parish in Farmington

2. I also am establishing the following as days when a Plenary Indulgence may be obtained by making a pilgrimage to these churches and fulfilling the conditions required by the Church:
· June 28 and 29, 2008 – Vigil and Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
· January 25, 2009 – Conversion of St. Paul
· April 19, 2009 - Divine Mercy Sunday
· June 19, 2009 – Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
· June 28-29, 2009 – Vigil and Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

3. The conditions required for obtaining a plenary indulgence are the following: Sacramental Confession within a week of the pilgrimage, Reception of Holy Communion, Prayers for the intentions of the Pope (such as one Our Father and one Hail Mary), a spirit of total detachment from any inclination to sin, and a desire to join spiritually in a jubilee celebration in honor of St. Paul. In addition to the special intentions each person brings to this pilgrimage, I ask you to pray and offer sacrifices for the following intentions:
· for the unity of all Christians,
· for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life in our diocese, and
· for our new bishop.

A Plenary Indulgence is a special gift offered by God through the Church to help us attain purity of heart and holiness of life. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#1471), an indulgence is “the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sin whose guilt has already been forgiven.” It is best understood in light of Jesus’ promise to be with His Church always and His readiness to provide all we need to have our sins forgiven and to be restored to full loving union with God. As Jesus said (Jn 15:5), “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who lives in me and I in him will produce abundantly, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

In the Year of St. Paul, let us gladly join with our Holy Father and with fellow Christians around the world in seeking deeper conversion and holiness of life, in imitating the evangelizing zeal of St. Paul, and in loving Christ with an undivided heart.
Sincerely yours in Christ,


+Thomas J. Olmsted
Apostolic Administrator of Gallup

BISHOPS TO VOTE ON EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH STATEMENT AT SPRING MEETING

WASHINGTON—U.S. Catholic bishops, convening June 12-14 in Orlando, Florida at their semi-annual spring meeting, will vote on a proposed statement concerning embryonic stem cell research. If approved, this statement will be the first formal statement issued by the bishops devoted exclusively to this issue.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has been prominent in the national debate on stem cell research for many years. Conference officials have offered public statements, testimony and letters to Congress on the issue and many individual bishops and state conferences of bishops have spoken out, especially in the context of state legislation and ballot initiatives. The Catholic Church’s moral position against destroying human embryos for research is also stated briefly in other documents by the full body of bishops (e.g., Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship in November 2007).

The statement on embryonic stem cell research is devoted to the question whether researchers, with or without government funds, are ethically justified in destroying human embryos to obtain stem cells for research and possible future treatments. The bishops firmly answer this question in the negative, respond to several arguments used in the public debate to justify such destruction, and explain how an initial decision to destroy so-called “spare” embryos for this research leads to far broader ethical abuses, including new risks to women of child-bearing age.

Approval of this statement requires support by two-thirds of the USCCB’s members.